Amazing sex, closeness, fleeting conversations, and possessive touches... but the thing I loved most was spending time with his nephews.
River is a cute baby. Loud but adorable. And Noah... Noah might just be the cutest kid in California. I love how curious and gregarious he is. Not a shy bone in his body.
I guess he takes after his dad. Logan’s the most ostentatious of all the Hayes.
I grew up surrounded by them. I was five when I saw the triplets at school. Six when Dad started doing business with Grandad Hayes after inheriting a large piece of land that’s now an office block. Twelve when Nico took over the role of my father’s stockbroker, and fifteen when Dad took me to my first Monica Hayes charity gala.
Cody didn’t bring up the chess lessons again when I passed him. He hasn’t said anything other thanheythis past week, and I’m too chicken to start a conversation even though he infests my mind daily.
It’s for the best.
Those few encounters we’ve had so far didn’t do me good. I’ve replayed our conversation for days, scrutinizing my every word, hoping he didn’t think I was trying to make excuses for who I’ve been my whole life.
I let my guard down around him without thinking, and not just with the words. No one except Brandon ever saw me like Cody did when I baked madeleines. No makeup, no pretty dress or jewelry.
Nothing to hide the ugly.
I don’t leave my condo unless I look the part I play, but my mind didn’t go toget yourself sorted outwhenI ran out, hearing him talking in the hallway. Lack of sugar was a lousy excuse, but it worked.
It feels so natural not to pretend around Cody. So natural to be me. Therealme, not the Blair I created to deflect the past.
It also felt fucking amazing to lay all night tucked against Cody’s side with his long fingers tangled in my hair, the bulk of his warm body holding me close.
It’s the safest I’ve ever felt—in the arms of a man who despises me for what I’ve done to Mia.
Him and me both.
Ana sits outside Cody’s apartment when I come home from a shopping spree with Kelly-Ann. Holding a few bags of lingerie, I stop dead in my tracks, unsure which way to turn.
I bet she remembers Cody pinning me against the wall, devouring my mouth last week.
This is bound to be awkward.
Moving the bags into one hand, I fish my key out, my feet aching from six hours in heels. It’s funny how quickly your feet get used to comfortable shoes.
I used to spend hours in heels every day, shopping with the girls or meeting up after school to gossip in our favorite restaurants and cocktail bars, but I’ve not been out much lately, so spending a few hours in Louboutins warrants a soak.
“Hey,” Ana chirps as I reach my door, not an ounce of hostility in her voice. “Do you know where Cody is?”
I look her over, wondering how Cody would expect me to act. Play dumb? Pretend there’s something between us to get rid of her? Looks like the kiss did nothing to scare her away, so I guess that strategy wouldn’t work.
“I’m not sure,” I say.
“Oh, that’s okay. I didn’t think you would.”
It’s bizarre how calm she is, but I shake the moment off, reminding myself she’s been stalking him for weeks. This eerie friendliness isn’t that odd. I push my door open, but her soft, apologetic voice glues me to the spot.
“I’m sorry things didn’t work out.”
I should’ve asked Cody what my role is here. It’d be helpful to know what he expects of me where Ana’s concerned. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
“You know... you and Cody. When he kissed you, I assumed it was serious.”
It’s not serious for obvious reasons, but my curiosity piques. How would she know it’s not serious? She’s not been around. I would’ve noticed her lingering outside his condo or the building.
“You spoke to him?” I ask. “When?”
“Oh...” Her face falls, cheeks heating a touch. “He didn’t tell you you’re over? I’m so sorry, I figured when he called me that things didn’t work out and he needed a distraction.”
